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rule something out (or in)

phrasal verb

‘At the time of writing it would be only a daylight facility, but lighting the bays, and possibly the range has not been ruled out.’

‘It is possible to develop an allergy to a product you've been using for years, so don't rule this possibility out.’

‘But the possibility that life could originate on the ocean surface has not been ruled out.’

‘Although the specific locus of task-set inhibition is not yet clear from the available evidence, three possibilities can be ruled out.’

‘After other possible causes of the child's symptoms are ruled out, the doctor may recommend an elimination diet to help diagnose and identify a food allergy.’

‘Something in her voice sounded as if she hadn't ruled the possibility out.’

‘The judge said that he thought this unlikely, although he could not rule it out as a possibility.’

‘Your doctor must rule them out before being certain you have asthma.’

‘There have been a number of dog thefts in recent months and while we are not linking them specifically we don't rule this possibility out.’

‘Although separation would not take place at this stage, it had not been ruled out as a possibility should the twins defy the odds and survive, he added.’

‘While the priority at present is to rent the property at £l,500 per month, the possibility of a sale has not been ruled out and the price can be negotiated.’

‘The strain of her illness was made almost unbearable when Kevin and Tina found out that they had been ruled out as possible donors.’

‘However, he would not rule it out as a future possibility.’

‘It could have been that she was model, but most people ruled that possibility out.’

‘And therefore a possibility of that exists, certainly, one wouldn't rule it out.’

‘Possible sightings have been ruled out and equipment which can be used to detect if earth has been recently disturbed has found nothing.’

‘They are happy as long as I give it a try, give it my best before absolutely ruling it out as a possibility.’

‘Once physical causes are ruled out, your doctor may refer you to a mental-health professional who specializes in treating anxiety disorders.’

‘Since phlebotomy and technical errors were ruled out, the possibility existed that the mother had developed an antibody to a paternal antigen that she did not possess which was inherited by each twin.’